2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Tom Butters, TE, Wartburg College

• Name: Tom Butters
• Position: TE
• College: Wartburg College
• Height: 6’5”
• Weight: 245 lbs
• X (Twitter): @tharealbutterz
• Instagram: @tom__butters

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

I loved the sport since I was a kid, immediately fell in love with the physicality and the fast pace of the game.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My favorite moments from football has to be hearing the crowd roar when I scored a touchdown in college, and seeing my family cheering in the stands.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

I want to be able to play professionally the sport that I love, while developing into the best TE I can become. I also want to grow my leadership qualities and leave a legacy.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

It would either be Gronk or Calvin Johnson. Gronk would be able to teach me a tremendous amount about my position, but Calvin Johnson was my idol coming into college, that’s why I wear 81.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My dad inspires me the most out of my family, he’s had his share of adversity through the years and is mostly the reason I kept playing football.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

Every tight end ever loves running routes and catching touchdowns, including me, but my favorite offensive scheme is just smashmouth run the ball football. There’s something about dominating the line of scrimmage, and overpowering the will of a DE or LB.

What should we know about Tom Butters the person?

Tom Butters is the hardest worker you’ve never met. Tom is a dominating force between the whistles, but is a clean cut Christian guy who’s led by faith and family. I’ve learned a lot about football in college, but I’ve learned more about life and the importance of character and work ethic. The importance of relationships and leadership. I’ve also learned from my tight end coach through the years how to be a better man and son through the values he brought to practice and meetings.

What stands out about your film the most?

I think what stands out about my film the most is the diversity of highlights. I have touchdowns from a Y position, H position, Flexed position and others. Also every block on there is a pancake, to kind of show I can do it all, catch, run, score, and block, from any position on the field.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I handle challenges by dealing with them. Worrying about something you can control I think is useless. If it’s something I need help with I confide in my teammates and coaching staff.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A team would get a great amount by having me on their team. I truly think I can lead, be a dominating presence athletically and physically on the field, and contribute as much as I can off of the field to helping the team. A team would get a great player, but an even better teammate that wants success for the team and everyone involved with the program.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

What I love most about the game of football is the competitiveness and the physicality of the game. It’s not for everybody, and it takes guts to even put on the pads. I love playing with guys I know would do anything to win and play with a chip on their shoulder. Most of all I love playing football for my dad and seeing him in the stands at my games.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

I would have to say the most underrated player I’ve ever played with was my quarterback Nile McLaughlin. He had incredible abilities as a quarterback to get you the ball right where it needed to be. He’s an incredibly smart player and can recognize any defense thrown at him. He threw the best passes I’ve ever caught. He set school records but I feel like didn’t get the recognition he deserved.